lysogenic

1 9.9

Relating to a virus that inserts its genes into a host cell and stays there without destroying the cell

adjective
/ˌlaɪzoʊˈdʒɛnɪk/

Specialized

: lisogénico

Strains of this group carrying lysogenic corynephages might produce the tox-encoded diphtheria toxin (DT) (2).

Examples

Lysogenic viruses can remain dormant within host cells before causing disease.
On the left is the lysogenic way that uses secret agent viruses.
The research focused on lysogenic bacteria that harbor viral DNA in their genomes.
In the lysogenic cycle, the virus integrates its genome into the host's DNA.

Synonyms

proviral

vslysogenic

Specialized

1 9.3

Relating to virus genes inside a host cell

relates to the process of integrating viral genes and possible later cell destruction

Surface Forms

lysogenic positive

Morphology

lysogenic = lysogen (opaque) = lysogen + ic

Although formed from the noun 'lysogen' plus the suffix '-ic', both elements are technical biological terms and not readily interpretable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word lysogenic comes from Greek parts lyso- meaning 'to break' and -genic meaning 'producing'. So a lysogenic virus hides its genes inside a cell and can later cause the cell to break open, which explains the word's modern meaning.